There has never been a better time for an uplifting show. Written and performed by John Osborne, To Make People Happy explores the humour section of second hand book shops, jokes overheard on market stalls and finding the positives in life, even if that means finding friendship with your end-of-life carers and sharing a love of Chas and Dave with a taxi driver after the world’s least appealing wedding. With audio clips of moments guaranteed to make an audience happy, this is a poetry show with a difference.
This show enjoyed performances in 2025 at First Light Festival, Ink Festival, Berwick Literary Festival, Chester Literary Festival and Machynlleth Comedy Festival and is now touring around again in 2026.
‘His work has an endearing gentleness that captures you and soothes you’ – Ian McMillian.
‘Beautifully-written, funny and poignant’ ★★★★★ The Scotsman on John Peel’s Shed.
‘A lovely, engaging writer finding the joyous in the everyday’ – Stuart Maconie
